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Abstract
This paper examines how retailers adjust prices of national brands and private labels when they are exposed to
energy shocks. Empirical results from 12 U.S. fluid milk markets provide insights into the magnitude and timing
of price adjustment. Asymmetric energy pass-through is validated. The pass-through rate is found to be
consistently higher for national brands compared to private labels, indicating that the private labels are more
insulated to energy shocks. Further results show that the speed of energy price pass-through is faster for national
brands compared to private labels when the energy price increases. However, the speed is similar for the two
when the energy price decrease. Overall, this paper shows that when there is a positive energy shock, the retailers
adjust prices of national brands first, on average, but they are almost indifferent with the order of adjustment
when there is a decrease in energy prices.